Five questions entering Sunday’s Texans-Colts matchup

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In Wade Phillips’ first game as interim coach, the Texans are capable of ending their losing streak and upsetting the Colts. But until they do it, nobody will believe it.

1. What impact will interim coach Wade Phillips have on the team?

This is the third time he has been an interim coach, so he has it down. It’s a bad situation to be in because it means you’re taking over a loser with time running out. Phillips made some changes in practice and will make some changes in the game. The Texans needed change. During practice, he brought in officials after the Texans committed team records with 14 penalties for 177 yards at Jacksonville, which was Gary Kubiak’s last game. Phillips got other players involved in special-teams drills. It’s going to be interesting to see if we can tell a difference on offense, which was Kubiak’s specialty.

2. What can we expect from the defense now that secondary coach Vance Joseph is going to make the calls?

This is Joseph’s third season under Phillips. Interestingly, he designated Joseph rather than linebackers coach Reggie Herring, who made the calls in 2011 at Indianapolis when Phillips missed the game after undergoing surgery. If you’re a Texans fan, you better hope Joseph makes calls to force turnovers. The defense has forced nine, fewest in the league. It had 29 last season. Joseph isn’t going to do anything radical. Phillips can overrule him on any call. Perhaps he’ll call more run blitzes or more exotic blitzes to get to quarterback Andrew Luck. Or perhaps he’ll call fewer blitzes. Phillips always likes to rush at least five.

3. What can the defense do to keep Andrew Luck from another three-touchdown performance like he had in the first game against the Texans?

Play well and play consistently. The defense shut down Luck in the first half, and the Texans led 21-3. Then Luck threw three touchdown passes to T.Y. Hilton in the second half, and the Colts escaped Reliant Stadium with a victory. Luck didn’t run much, but he’s effective when he has to. He’s always looking down the field when he’s in the pocket or on the move. The defensive backs have to do a better job of coverage, especially on Hilton. They should double him and make another receiver beat them.

4. What can quarterback Case Keenum do to avoid an eighth consecutive loss as the starter?

He needs to stay away from turnovers and produce some touchdowns rather than settle for field goals. Keenum plays better when he’s out of the pocket. Maybe they should let him use a moving pocket. That would be a first for the Texans. The Colts won’t buy the rollout unless Ben Tate and Dennis Johnson are running well. Keenum has to make quick decisions and get rid of the ball fast. If he can’t find a receiver, throw it away. Don’t take the sack and risk a fumble. Right tackle Derek Newton must play well again when blocking Robert Mathis, who has 15 1/2 sacks. Mathis didn’t get a sack in the first game. He tried the right side for eight plays, but Duane Brown kept him off Keenum, too. Expect Newton to get some help because he’s going to need it.

5. Since special-teams coordinator Joe Marciano was fired, what can be expected from his replacement, Bob Ligashesky?

At practice, Ligashesky spent more time screaming at his players. Maybe being louder will help them cover better and commit fewer penalties. Shane Lechler and Randy Bullock haven’t been an issue. At least lately with Bullock, who has bounced back from his slump. The coverage must improve. The Texans get burned on outside returns because they lack discipline. And they commit foolish penalties on returns that put the offense in holes. That requires more discipline. Perhaps the special-teams players who block and cover are a lost cause this season. Many do their jobs well, but it takes only one or two to spoil things.